Last Updated on February 24, 2024
What Are Google Doodle Games?
A Google Doodle is a unique, temporary alteration to the logo on Google’s homepage that’s usually intended to pay tribute to a special person, holiday, or event.
But Google Doodles don’t just commemorate special people and events. They’re also fine works of art designed to be visually appealing.
Plus, Google Doodles have inspired numerous video games over the years. In this post, we take a look at the 12 best Google Doodle games ever created.
1. Fischinger
Created In: 2017
Commemorating: The 117th birthday of filmmaker and visual artist Oskar Fischinger
Objective: To compose music
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://www.google.com/doodles on a new tab
ii. Enter and run a search for ‘Fischinger’ on the search bar located on the top right corner
iii. Once you’ve opened the game, navigate to the top snippet and select the ‘Play’ option
iv. Begin the game by entering a new page
At this point, you’ll be welcomed by a popular quote by Oskar Fischinger saying “Music is not limited to the world of sound. There exists a music of the visual world.”
v. Tap anywhere on the game’s display to begin composing your own visual music
You can take advantage of the game’s settings to modify your music, share the music, or even learn more about Oskar Fischinger. There’s also the option of clearing the existing composition if you wish to create a new one.
2. Hip Hop
Created In: 2017
Commemorating: The 44th birthday of hip hop
Objective: To compose hip hop music
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://www.google.com/doodles on a new tab
ii. Enter and run a search for ‘Hip Hop’ on the search bar located on the top right corner
iii. After opening the game, select the ‘Play’ option located in the Hip Hop game snippet underneath the featured snippets
iv. You’ll be redirected to the Hip Hop game display, where you can get started by tapping on the big ‘Play’ button
At this point, you’ll be treated to a short introduction to Hip Hop by hip hop artist Fab 5 Freddy
v. You can proceed to play the game by dragging the Crossfader to the right and then to the left.
You can also use the scrollbar to navigate through the record crate. All you have to do is tap the crate option located in the bottom right corner. Once you’re all in the game, take advantage of the available toolbox to mix music, share the results, or learn more about Hip Hop.
3. Garden Gnomes
Created In: 2018
Commemorating: Gnomes; the mythical statues that originated in the 13th century in Germany, which were believed to protect gardens and bring them good luck
Objective: To catapult a variety of gnomes from a trebuchet as far as possible into the garden, planting flowers as you go
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://www.google.com/doodles on a new tab
ii. Enter and run a search for ‘Garden Gnomes’ on the search bar located on the top right corner
iii. Click on the game to select it
iv. Scroll down and read a brief intro to Gnomes
v. Scroll to the bottom of the page and tap on the big red button to begin playing the game
4. Pac-Man
Created In: 2010
Commemorating: The 30th anniversary of Pac-Man
Objective: To eat all the dots without getting caught by the ghosts
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://www.google.com/doodles on a new tab
ii. Enter and run a search for ‘Pac-Man’ on the search bar located on the top right corner
iii. Click on the game to select it
iv. Scroll down and read a brief intro to the classic game of Pac-Man
v. Scroll to the bottom of the page and tap on the game’s icon to begin playing
NB: The Pac-Man is represented by a yellow circle. You can control it by moving the circle to the right, left, up, or down.
5. Crossword Puzzle
Created In: 2013
Commemorating: The 100th anniversary of the crossword puzzle
Objective: To fill in the crossword puzzle
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://www.google.com/doodles on a new tab
ii. Enter and run a search for ‘Crossword Puzzle’ on the search bar located on the top right corner
iii. Scroll down and click on the link with the anchor text ‘See the interactive version here!’, which appears right before the brief to the game.
iv. You’ll be redirected to a new page, where you can start filling in the crossword puzzle.
6. The Pony Express
Created In: 2015
Commemorating: The 155th anniversary of the Pony Express, which is a mail carrier system on horseback that was officially founded on April 3, 1860
Objective: To gather as many letters as possible while avoiding obstacles along the way, including cacti, rocks, and fences
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://www.google.com/doodles on a new tab
ii. Enter and run a search for ‘The Pony Express’ on the search bar located on the top right corner
iii. Click on the game to select it
iv. You can scroll down to read more about this Google Doodle game and the general history of The Pony Express, or begin playing the game immediately
7. Quick, Draw!
Created In: 2016
Commemorating: No particular person or event
Objective: To draw a picture or idea in under 20 seconds, with a view to helping the game’s artificial intelligence (AI) guess what your drawing represents within the 20-second time frame
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://quickdraw.withgoogle.com/# on a new tab
ii. Click on a link with the anchor text ‘Let’s Draw!’
iii. Google’s AI will give you what to draw in under 20 seconds
iv. Click ‘Got it!’ to start drawing
8. Soccer
Created In: 2012
Commemorating: The game of soccer
Objective: You play as a goalkeeper, where you have to move as fast as possible to clear all the soccer balls from your goal
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://www.google.com/doodles on a new tab
ii. Enter and run a search for ‘Soccer’ on the search bar located on the top right corner
iii. Click on the game to select it
iv. Tap on the game’s ‘Play’ icon to begin playing
NB: This Google Doodle game is different from a near-similar one released the same year, titled ‘Opening Ceremony 2012.’
9. Coding for Carrots
Created In: 2017
Commemorating: 50 years of Kids Coding
Objective: To get all the carrots for the bunny by creating a series of commands
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://www.google.com/doodles on a new tab
ii. Enter and run a search for ‘Coding for Carrots’ on the search bar located on the top right corner
iii. Click on the game to select it
iv. You can start playing the game immediately by clicking on the ‘Play’ icon or scroll down to read more about the history of kids’ coding.
10. Loteria
Created In: 2019
Commemorating: Lotería!, the traditional Mexican card game
Objective: To mark your spot on a board or table using a token, before all the other players can
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://www.google.com/doodles on a new tab
ii. Enter and run a search for ‘Loteria’ on the search bar located on the top right corner
iii. Click on the game to select it
iv. You can start playing the game immediately by clicking on the ‘Play’ icon or scroll down to read more about the history of Lotería.
11. Slalom Canoe
Created In: 2012
Commemorating: Canoe slalom, the competitive sport that involves navigating a decked kayak or canoe through a course of gates on a river
Objective: To navigate down a river on a canoe, avoiding a series of obstacles
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://www.google.com/doodles on a new tab
ii. Enter and run a search for ‘Slalom Canoe’ on the search bar located on the top right corner
iii. Click on the game to select it
iv. Start playing immediately
NB: This Google Doodle game works better on a computer than a smartphone browser.
12. Scoville
Created In: 2016
Commemorating: The 151st birthday of pharmacist and researcher Wilbur Scoville
Objective: To throw ice cream balls on anthropomorphic chilies with a view to freezing them
How to Play:
i. Paste the link https://www.google.com/doodles on a new tab
ii. Enter and run a search for ‘Scoville’ on the search bar located on the top right corner
iii. Click on the game to select it
iv. Scroll down and read a brief intro to the game and a brief history of Wilbur Scoville
v. Scroll to the bottom of the page and tap on the game’s ‘Play’ icon to begin playing
Conclusion
There are hundreds of Google Doodle games designed to help you unwind as you also learn a thing or two about the person or event being commemorated. The above collection includes Google Doodle games that are not only fun to play but also interactive and beginner-friendly.